Receptions...

[555Ann555]

Didn't want to take over your cake thread so I've started this one. Please feel free to tell me where your receptions differ.

Originally Posted by steven_g

Ann,

I'm sorry, the word "weird" was a poor word choice on my part. I should've used the word "interesting" instead. I didn't mean to imply that it was wrong to do it that way, just that I'd never seen it before.
-Steven

I wasn't at all offended Steven, I was just curious! What I love about this site (apart from all the varied members!) is that I get to see alternatives, I see how things are done over there and it gives me more options. If I use even a few of the ideas I've gotten from all of you it'll make my reception less traditionally Scottish, it'll give the guests something to remember, something to make it stand out as little in their memories.

What I wondered was how we differ so how about I tell you how ours goes and you can all tell me how yours go?

• Ceremony->
  
• Reception:
  
• Drinks while B&G get phtos taken
  
• MC announces Line up of bridal party
  
• Meet & greet as guests enter reception hall
  
• B&G are anounced by MC and enter room after all the guests are seated
  
• MC anounces cutting of the cake and welcome anyone to come forward who wants to get a picture
  
• B&G are seated at top table.
  
• Speaches:
• FOB or clergy- thanks guests toasts 'the happy couple' or 'The bride and groom'
• G-thanks FOB, compliments Bride then compliments and toasts to Bmaids
• BMan- replies on behalf of the attendants, compliments the bride then toasts the health of all the parents. May read out messages left by absent friends/family.
• FOB may thank everyone again or bride may say a few words.
  
• Meal- this is nearly always a fairly formal sit-down meal. Quite often it will be silver service.
  
• You leave the room at this point so the staff can prepare it for the evening reception and the band can set up.You'll normally go through to a lounge or bar and have a wee drink and mingle, gives the B&G time to speak to anyone they haven't had the chance to see yet.
  
• Back through to reception hall
  
• Band starts up.
  
• The evening guests are invited to join the party at this point but often don't turn up till later on.
  
• First dance-> B & G. After a wee min or two they'll be joined by MOB & FOB, MOG & FOG, BM & BM.
• Next dance: B & FOB, G & MOB, MOG & BMan, FOG & BMaid,
• Next: B & FOG, G & MOG, MOB & BMan, FOB & BMaid
  
• from then on its just whoever with whoever!
  
• The band will play fairly traditional songs for most of the first half, they sometimes have a few scottish dances thrown in (unless you're lucky enough to have a ceilidh band in which case that's all they'll play!).
  
• the band will anounce the break
  
• There is normally some music in the background and the buffet will be served.
  
• Everyone gets a break apart from the B & Bmaid who will go round all the tables have a wee word with anyone who hasn't been greeted or had their minuite with the bride! They also hand out the favours to all of the ladies.
• Band starts back up, someone may make another wee speech to thank the evening guests for their presence. The music for here on will be a few scottish dances and more modern songs.
  
• The band will anounce the last dance (which isn't really the last dance!) this is the last waltz or the last romantic number, a chance for any couples to take to the floor. B&G must dance this one too!
  
• The band will ask everyone onto the dance floor for the finale, it is nearly always Loch Lomond (generally the Runrig version). As I've definately said just recently... the guests all gather in one big circle holding hands, the bridal party is inside this circle making a smaller one with the B&G inside it. Everyone joins in the singing, all swaying along and smiling at each other!
• Then when the song gets to the fast bit (after the first chorus and verse) they all start dancing in and out like crazy!

My favourite bit of most Scottish receptions is when you have all the family and friends of the B&G all holding each others hands, smiling and singing along, all really happy for the couple. It always makes me cry! can you imagine how much it'll affect me when it's my turn?!

[roseprincess]

ugh! That sounds like a rocking party!!! I wanted something similar to that but people here hardly ever set aside that much time to attend a wedding.

I have to ask:

• when is the cake actually eaten by the guests?
  you said there is a formal dinner and a buffet... so, TWO meals are served?

I would bawl my eyes out too during that ring dance...

[Jacqueline]

only on some weddings is there a formal meal we are just having a running buffet from 7 till 9 and we cut our cake at about 9.30pm and it will get handeed out then they can either take it and eat or rap it upand take it home
i dont enjoy the whole sit down thing at a wedding as i personal find it hard to get round all the guest's
and our last dance will be suivor tell i'm the one

[555Ann555]

Yeah we have two meals! But your normally there from lunch time so you are hungry again, plus if your drinking you get really hungry!

The cake is normally served with the buffet. That's why I was thinking I could save cutting it till after the meal because it doesn't get served as desert. It's generally taken away by the waiters during the meal and cut up, but then it just sits in the kitchen all cut up for hours till they serve it, which seems pretty pointless.

Plus that bit where the B&G come in and cut the cake is at best a bit boring, and at worst really uncomfortable for the guests! Some guest are too shy to get up and take a picture when they'd actually like to, and no one gets any time to look at the cake coz as soon as they're in and seated the B&G arrive and cut it up!

[roseprincess]

yum, I want to move to Scotland! J/K but I wouldn't mind visiting for a good stretch...

Doesn't the cake dry out, sitting there cut up for all those hours?

Ok, my wedding ceremony and reception were in the same venue, the ceremony in the garden and then everyone followed us after our recessional into the outdoor area where the tables were set up. We didn't have an MC/DJ to make announcements. The bar was open, and a fruit & cheese buffet was served while we took all the formal pictures (back in the garden). Then we rejoined the guests, there was a BM toast, my uncle/Godfather toasted us & thanked the guests on behalf of our family, then MIL toasted us with an Irish blessing (DH's family is Irish-American), then a friend from church toasted us with another blessing. Oh, then I thanked everyone for sharing in our lives and our special day. Dinner buffet followed the toasting. Then the B&G dance. Then FIL came over to dance with me (I don't think he realized that my Godfather was supposed to dance w/ me & represent my deceased Dad) while DH danced w/ his mom. Then everyone started dancing. Once people were dancing, I went round the tables w/ MOH & BM handing out the favors. I think the cake was cut & served about an hour after the meal... it's all a blur now but I got called away from doing the favors to cut the cake. It wasn't a very "traditional" timeline but I wanted it to be flexible and relaxed. Oh, we also had fruit centerpieces for people to snack on throughout the afternoon.

HTH!